Leeds: Let’s stub it out for our kids’ sake

Charlie Bullough

city leaders want people to back a no smoking campaign aimed at the next generation.

Breathe 2025 wants to inspire children to grow up smoke-free and protected from health harms caused by tobacco.

Figures show Yorkshire and the Humber has the highest number of adult smokers in England. But only one in eight 15-year-olds smoke and the number of young smokers is dropping.

Campaigners believe that within the next decade there could be a generation of children who don’t smoke.

Dr Ian Cameron, Leeds City Council Director of Public Health, said: “Leeds currently has an adult smoking rate of 23.1 per cent. That’s a real challenge for us and we want children who have started school this year to be the pioneers of a smoke-free generation. Today’s five-year-olds can be smoke-free at 15 when they are doing their GCSEs and so can all the year groups following them.”

Coun Lisa Mulherin, chairwoman of Leeds health and wellbeing board, said: “We want the next generation of Leeds children to be smoke-free when they leave school or college and as adults. Breathe 2025 is about how all of us can inspire and help them to make that happen. That is why we want smoke-free playgrounds and are working with partners to help people access stop smoking services.”

The campaign is being run by a collaboration of partners across the region, including Leeds City Council and Public Health England.

People and organisations are being asked to show their support by going to the campaign website or Facebook page and signing up to one or more practical actions, like watching and sharing the Breathe 2025 video, or displaying a campaign poster.

For more information see: www.Breathe2025.org.uk

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